MLS secures another ticket to the 2025 Club World Cup

On Sunday, FIFA confirmed the official dates for the next FIFA Club World Cup 2025, which will be held in the United States. Additionally, FIFA provided details about the tournament, including the notable point that Major League Soccer will have an additional slot as the host of the tournament. To date, the North American league already has one qualified team, the Seattle Sounders, after winning the 2022 Concacaf Champions League by defeating UNAM Pumas in the final.

On the eve of the 2023 Club World Cup semifinals, where Manchester City is preparing to make its debut, FIFA met in Jeddah, where it announced details about the new format of the international tournament to be held in North America in 2025. For the first time, it will feature 32 teams. However, the international governing body announced that it would grant another ticket to a team from the host country, i.e., MLS. This means that there could be up to three representatives from MLS if a team from Don Garber’s league wins the 2024 CONCACAF tournament.

Club World Cup 2025: teams already qualified

Of the 32 teams that will compete, 19 have already secured their spots. These include the last three UEFA Champions League champions, the last three Concacaf Champions League winners, and the winners of the last editions of the Copa Libertadores.

Additionally, clubs like PSG, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Benfica, and Porto have qualified through UEFA’s points system. The three champions of the Asian Champions League also have their places confirmed.

Regional qualified clubs

UEFA

Champions League winners - 4 clubs

- 2020/21: Chelsea FC (ENG)

- 2021/22: Real Madrid CF (Spain)

- 2022/23: Manchester City FC (England)

- 2023/24: To be confirmed

Through the points system - 8 clubs

- FC Bayern Munich (GER)

- Paris Saint-Germain FC (FRA)

- Inter Milan (ITA)

- FC Porto (POR)

- SL Benfica (POR)

- To be confirmed (3 clubs)

Asia

AFC Champions League winners - 3 clubs

- 2021: Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

- 2022: Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan)

- 2023/24: To be confirmed

Through the points system - 1 club

- To be confirmed

Africa

CAF Champions League winners - 4 clubs

- 2020/21 and 2022-23: Al Ahly SC (EGY)

- 2021/22: Wydad AC (MAR)

- 2023/24: To be confirmed

Through the points system - 1 club

- To be confirmed

CONCACAF

Champions League - 4 clubs

- 2021: CF Monterrey (MEX)

- 2022: Seattle Sounders FC (USA)

- 2023: Club León (MEX)

- 2024: To be confirmed

Oceania

Through the points system - 1 club

- Auckland City FC (NZL)

Conmebol

Copa Libertadores winners - 4 clubs

- 2021: SE Palmeiras (BRA)

- 2022: CR Flamengo (BRA)

- 2023: Fluminense FC (BRA)

- 2024: To be confirmed

Through the points system - 2 clubs

- To be confirmed (2 clubs)